Lawrence's Warbler in Montague

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Blue winged Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

I made a rare journey out of the Hampshire County this morning to see the continued Lawrence's Warbler in Montague.  I figured this was probably my only chance to see this hybrid this year as I have struck out on finding one in the county despite quite a bit of effort.  I arrived in the area it has been reported and heard a Blue winged Warbler song and after a bit of looking I found a Blue winged Warbler singing the song and not the hybrid I was looking for so I moved a little further down the road and heard the odd song reported by earlier observers and quickly found the Lawrence's Warbler.  I waited for a good photographic opportunity as it worked its way through a dense tangle singing quite a bit and was awarded with a couple of instances when it was out in the open.  There was another non vocal Blue winged Warbler in the same area (perhaps its mate?).  I was very happy with getting some of the shots I got, especially when it was singing.  I last made a trip up to the Montague area for a warbler in 2021 when a Golden winged Warbler showed up not too far away from where I had the Lawrence's Warbler today.

Wilson's Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 23, 2024

Wilson's Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 23, 2024

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 23, 2024

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 23, 2024

Brewster's Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 23, 2024

Blue winged Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 23, 2024

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2024

The number of late season migrants was low once again despite another night of good migration conditions.  I suspect many are just moving right on past without stopping.  Nonetheless I did have some cooperative warblers with a singing Wilson's Warbler in Amherst and the continued Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrids in Amherst plus Blue winged Warblers there singing a variety of songs.  I finished the day with a fairly low number of warbler species given the date with a total of 20 species.